A Taste of Missions

I live near Chicago. Every year nearly three million people from all over the Midwest migrate to the city of Chicago for what is known as the "Taste." The Taste is Chicago's biggest event. It all started in 1980 as a modest food festival on the Fourth of July. Since those humble beginnings the Taste of Chicago has grown to be the world's largest outdoor food fest. People come just to taste a sampling of the food that is offered in the great city of Chicago.

Have you ever wanted to get a "taste" of Missions? Have you ever wanted to meet people from all around the world without leaving the country? Do you want to help your congregation catch the vision for world missions without spending a lot of money or creating another line item on your church budget?

Two local businessmen had the burden to create a low cost opportunity for pastors and lay people to get an international taste of missions. They wanted to provide a platform of great biblical teaching as well as a place to meet people from all around the world face-to-face for minimal cost. So they decided the cost of the conference would actually underwrite all the meals for the first two hundred guests to register. To assist those coming from other countries local people have opened their homes allowing international guests to get a "taste of America!"

Last year was more than a taste. We experienced people from all around the world singing in their native tongues. We enjoyed bright colorful costumes and stories that made you sit on the edge of your seat. People were amazed as the Hand-woven garments of the high priest were discussed in detail. Life size replicas of the furniture from the tabernacle of Moses were on display. The flags of the nations were incorporated into the worship experience. Sixty people opened the evening service with one united sounding of the shofar - the ancient biblical instrument. Young people opened the hearts of the adults with short dramas as they taught us how to reach this "sight and sound generation!"

The Shofar Man's Annual International, "Preparing the Way of the Lord" gathering will be hosting pastors from all around the world September 12-15, 2007. Where? Hobart, Indiana! Last year pastors and lay persons from Scotland, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Rwanda, Kenya, and Hong Kong attended. As of July 1, we have registrants from ten international countries (Liberia, Rwanda, Ghana, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Burundi, Ivory Coast, India, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo) and more are calling every day.

The conference is a great place to network while you share a meal that is provided by the conference host, Jubilee Worship Center. For further information, email Jim Barbarossa at jim@step-by-step.org or call (219) 762-7589.